Winter is also holiday time - and a winter holiday with your dog is a great opportunity to reflect on the year or to experience familiar places in a new guise. This is especially true of higher and wooded areas, where snowfall is also part of the picture of winter - because what would a real winter holiday be without the white splendour?
So that your dog can also enjoy the holiday, we give you some tips on how you can prepare for a winter holiday with your dog.
Winter vacation with dog: Does the dog like the snow?
For a winter holiday with a dog, there are many criteria that also apply to a summer holiday with a dog . Dog-friendly accommodation, a current vaccination and pet passport (especially important when traveling abroad) and contact details for the nearest veterinary practice are also part of this. Then it gets more specific: for example, how does the dog tolerate the cold and how does it feel about snow? For animals with thin fur or animals that are generally sensitive to the cold, a winter holiday can be a bit of a challenge. A dog coat in winter and warm paw protectors are suitable so that your dog can also enjoy a winter holiday.
If the dog is older and no longer as active, it can stay in the shelter for a few hours during a winter hike. But even if your dog welcomes every snowfall with joy and likes to romp around in the snow, you should make sure that it does not catch a cold or catch a cold. In addition to the dog coat, the dog's paws can be rubbed dry with a towel after playing. This also prevents the classic smell of a wet dog.
BARF on vacation with your dog
Of course, you also need to make sure that your dog is properly fed on a winter holiday. If you have the option of bringing your own supplies and storing them in a cool place, you can provide your dog with ready -made raw food for the duration of your holiday. As with any long holiday with your dog, you should gradually integrate the chosen food into the diet before you leave, both to check whether it is tolerated and to see how the dog is actually accepting the food.
Paw care for dogs: Winter presents challenges
An important aspect of winter holidays with dogs is paw care. So that the dog can romp through the snow in winter, the paws should either be protected with warm dog shoes or given special care. If the dog doesn't like shoes, for example, rubbing them with paw balm, lanolin, coconut oil or a care oil is a good way to keep the sensitive pads supple and protect them from cracks. Well-cared-for paws therefore offer less surface area for attack by loose gravel, stones or road salt. However, a check after a walk is always recommended, even if the paws are well cared for.
It can also help to trim the fur between the paws. Especially in winter or when it is wet, water and dirt quickly combine in the fur, and stones and road salt get tangled more easily in long hair. The length of the claws should also be checked again before taking your dog on a winter holiday and adjusted if necessary.
Skiing holiday with dog: What is the pet allowed to do?
Skiing with a dog is of course possible, but often comes with restrictions. For example, bringing dogs onto ski slopes is generally not allowed due to the significantly increased risk of accidents. If the dog cannot stay in the holiday accommodation during this time, there are many day boarding houses or other options nearby where the dog can be accommodated. For shared activities, a walk away from the ski slopes or sledding are much more relaxed and dog-friendly anyway.
Cross-country skiing with your dog is also an option for a ski holiday with your dog and your pet. When planning your holiday, you should check which trails dogs are allowed on - this way you can avoid unpleasant surprises later.
In any case, you should look forward to your winter holiday with your dog, because a holiday away from everyday life is always an opportunity to strengthen the relationship with your animal and create great memories.
